«AZERENERJI» INTENSIFIES OWN GENERATING CAPACITIES

 

The entire World is presently virtually paying attention to countries of the continent. Azerbaijan first ensures its energy security, and becomes a partner-country for other countries on the other hand. This plays its role both in formation of Azerbaijan's energy policy and solution of global tasks the country faces.

 

From the point of view of the current realities, one might claim that the independent grid of Azerbaijan has been installed. The electric power Azerbaijan generates per year more than twice exceeds the volume of electric power produced by other Transcaucasian countries altogether. By the launch of the first power-generating unit of Transcaucasia's largest hydroelectric power station - "AzDRES" by the Azerbaijan Nation-wide leader, Heydar Aliyev in October 20, 1981, the basis of the energy security of present-day independent Azerbaijan was laid.

By Decree 446 of October 13, 2004, issued by the Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev, this day was designated as the Day of Powerman.

The country's population's needs in electricity are presently provided at the expense of the ten heat power plants operating in the country - Azerbaijan Heat Power Plant (HPP), Ali-Bayramli HPP, "Shimal" HPP, Baku Heat and Power Plant, Nakhchivan HPP, Astara Electric Power Station (EPS), Khacmaz EPS, Nakhchivan EPS, and Baku Power Station; six hydroelectric stations - Mingacavir Hydroelectric Power Station (HEPS), Shamkir HEPS, Yenikand HEPS, Varvar HEPS, "Araz" HEPS, Vaykhyr HEPS. About 90% of Azerbaijan's total volume of electric power are generated by heat power plants. The country's hydroelectric power stations generate the rest 10-12% of the electric power.

As a result of President Ilham Aliyev's carrying out his trenchant and logical policy and owing to the economic potential and availability of natural resources in the country, Azerbaijan is recognized not only regionally but also internationally by representative circles of World's leading countries. One dare say that Azerbaijan, which earlier attracted investments into its own economy, has presently turned to a country-investor. As a result of the economic development programme implemented by the supervision of President Ilham Aliyev, the country has achieved great results both in the electrical power engineering and all other spheres of the economy.

Taking into consideration the country's economic growth rates, the Head of the State has approved the State Programme for Development of Fuel and Energy Complex in Azerbaijan Republic for 2005-1015.

Within the mentioned state-sponsored programme, "Azerenerji" OJSC has been commissioned to shortly install new generating capacities in those regions, where shortage and difficulties with energy supply are observed.

To fulfill this task, "Azerenerji" OJSC has decided to intensify new energy capacities. Five new electric power stations with the total capacity of over 452 MWatt have been recently installed in the five regions of the country - Astara, Khachmaz, Shaki, Nakhchivan, and Baku for a very short space of time even according to international scale and experience. Only the Baku Electric Power Station consists of 12 generators with the capacity of 8.7 MWatt each. All the other electric power stations have 10 generators each.

Becoming acquainted with the activity of Baku EPS, the Head of the State particularly highlighted the importance of the implementation of this programme in the country.

Another station, which operates both on gas and black oil unlike all the operating ones, is currently being constructed in Sangachal (the capacity of 360 MWatt). Three generators are expected to be installed in the station until the end of the current year. The area located 30-40 km away from Baku City has been allotted for the forthcoming generating facility.

A feasibility study of the installation of Sangachal EPS has been already prepared. Issues connected with crediting works have been virtually settled. The area under the forthcoming electric power station is currently being leveled.

To provide its consumers with electricity, "Azerenerji" OJSC pays a great attention to raising its generating capacities.

The state-of-the-art steam-gas plant with the capacity of 517 MWatt, that has no analogues on the territory of FSU countries, is currently being constructed in Sumgayit.

An area has been already prepared, and a credit agreement on construction of another (second) steam-gas plant with the capacity of 400 MWatt at the electric power station of "Shimal", which is a vivid example of the present-day history of the Azerbaijani power industry.

A credit agreement on reconstruction of 7 power units at Azerbaijan HPP has been signed with EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development). After the reconstruction is concluded, the country's grid will gain additional generating capacities at a volume of over 400 MWatt.

We negotiate with IDB (Islamic Development Bank) on conclusion of Mingachavir HEPS. As a result of the implementation of this project, Azerbaijan's grid will obtain 70 MWatt of generating capacities additionally.

Along with the construction of generating facilities by "Azerenerji", the national energy operator focus its attention on issues connected with the availability of a debugged coupling system, which will allow transmitting generated electricity to consumers. Most part of the existing electric power transmission lines has exhausted their operation potentialities. For instance, the electric power transmission line linking Azerbaijan HPP with the Absheron electric power network node, have been operating for 70 years, and the transmission line coming from Ali-Bayramli HPP- for 50 years.

Despite the efforts have been taken in this field for the recent 4-5 years, troubles are still observed there. A group of specialists is currently elaborating a package of proposals to solve these issues.

The intensively-growing need in electricity requires relevant development of supervisory control and anti-wreck management at energy generating facilities. These are the responsibilities of the Central Supervisory Control Department. The project is to be implemented in two stages.

The first stage of the project - reconstruction of the central Supervisory Control Department is under its completion. The major aim of the project is to ensure the grid's efficient communication with all its stations and sub-stations. Grid-control engineers can neatly and timely control all changes occurring in the network, as well as frequencies and currency and voltage, which are indicated on the scheme. "Siemens" of Germany has become the winner of the tender organized under the financial support of the German Development Bank of "KfW". The first stage of the project financed the mentioned financial institution, is expected to be completed within the next few months. Its second stage to be implemented within the tender being held by WB (World Bank) will be concluded within 36 months (3 years).

On the whole, after the National Supervisory Control Centre is put into operation, the efficiency of management of the grid will be intensively improved, and the running conditions will reach a higher technical level.